Gaunt takes early lead in Madeira

Australia’s Daniel Gaunt stormed into a four-shot lead in the early stages of the Madeira Island Open today.

Gaunt has made just one cut in five events since earning his card by finishing 11th at the European Tour qualifying school last November.

But he shrugged off the poor conditions at Santo da Serra to race to the turn in just 30 strokes.

Starting on the 10th, the 25-year-old from Melbourne birdied his opening hole and then eagled the par five 11th, before adding further birdies on the 14th, 16th and 18th.

That took him four clear of the chasing pack.